A surge in residential building activity is expected to drive a 21 per cent increase in construction employment in Nova Scotia by 2034, but industry leaders warn that persistent worker shortages and an aging labour force could hamper the sector’s ability to meet demand.
The latest forecast from BuildForce Canada projects steady growth in residential construction across the province, fuelled initially by new housing projects before shifting to renovation work later in the decade. Non-residential construction will also see moderate growth, with employment in that sector projected to rise by nine per cent.
Despite the projected expansion, the province faces a potential hiring gap of up to 15,000 workers over the next 10 years. The gap is driven by two key factors: a wave of retirements—expected to claim 8,400 workers by 2034—and rising demand from new and ongoing construction projects.
“Nova Scotia’s residential construction sector is dealing with a series of complicated dynamics at the outset of our forecast period,” said Bill Ferreira, executive director of BuildForce Canada. “Across the province, and particularly in Halifax Regional Municipality, high levels of construction demand are being constrained by shortages of skilled residential workers. Industry stakeholders have reported that this is leading to project delays or even outright cancellations.”
Renovations to outpace new builds
The BuildForce report anticipates that residential investment will grow into 2025 and hold steady through 2027 before rising again later in the decade. New housing will drive short-term growth, but residential renovations will take the lead as the dominant source of construction activity by 2030.
By 2034, employment in residential renovations and maintenance is expected to represent a significant share of the province’s overall construction workforce.
On the non-residential side, investment is forecast to fluctuate in line with the timeline of major projects. Activity will dip as current projects wind down but is expected to rise again by 2028, driven by work on the EverWind hydrogen project and health care infrastructure. After peaking, investment is projected to taper off again into 2030.
Labour force pressures intensify
The report highlights the urgent need to replenish the construction labour pool. While 7,900 new entrants from local sources are expected to join the industry over the decade, this will only partially offset the projected retirements, leaving a shortfall of 7,100 workers by 2034.
“Demographics and labour market trends are such that our industry will have a difficult time closing its hiring gap without adopting new approaches to recruit and retain workers from traditionally under-represented groups such as women, Indigenous People, and new Canadians,” said Trent Soholt, executive director of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council. “In this sense, augmenting diversity across our industry should be seen as more than a desirable outcome – it should be an imperative for success.”
The average age of the province’s workforce is higher than the national average, compounding the challenge. Employers are being encouraged to step up recruitment, training, and retention strategies, including targeted outreach to under-represented communities and immigration.
Progress on diversity, but more needed
In 2024, about 3,870 women were employed in Nova Scotia’s construction industry, with 24 per cent working directly on construction sites. Women accounted for just three per cent of the 33,500 tradespeople employed in the sector that year.
Indigenous workers made up about five per cent of the province’s construction workforce in 2023—slightly below their share of the broader labour force. BuildForce said there is an opportunity to expand this number by working closely with Indigenous communities to promote careers in the skilled trades and improve retention through inclusive workplace initiatives.
Immigration is also expected to play a vital role. Nova Scotia is projected to welcome 125,500 newcomers between 2025 and 2034. If effectively recruited, these individuals could form a growing segment of the construction workforce, said the report.
Meanwhile, signs of renewed interest in the trades are emerging. Registrations in Nova Scotia’s 20 largest construction trades reached record levels in 2023, up 73 per cent from 2022. More than half of the trades saw historic highs in registrations, with significant gains noted in the sheet metal worker, bricklayer, and welder programs.
Outlook uncertain amid global trade tensions
BuildForce cautioned that the current forecast does not account for potential trade disruptions, including the possible introduction of tariffs between Canada and the United States. Any such developments could impact the construction outlook and employment projections.
The report was prepared with input from provincial construction stakeholders, including contractors, labour providers, and training institutions. It outlines a series of recommendations to address the looming skills shortage and prepare for the sector’s evolving needs.
